Rachel Huffmire's "Spinning Briar"...Available Now!

When you hear about a cool new story idea, that cool new story idea sticks with you and you know the pitch worked. I don't remember the pitch word-for-word, but I remember what Rachel Huffmire's first book was about...

Fairytales and time traveling.

I finished her book, Shattered Snow and it was fantastic. I kept being blown away by the fact that, yes--I'm reading a story about fairytales, but it's also super technical, like a futuristic adventure, but in the past. 

Now, the next chapter in the Mirror Chronicles is available, as of yesterday. Rachel's Spinning Briar can be yours. Here's an overview from the book's Amazon site:

Being an International Time Travel Agent requires absolute obedience. The smallest change in history could completely destroy the present.

When Charul Shazad loses the trail of the Mirror, a time-traveling vigilante, both history and his career are put on the line. Unwilling to lose everything, Charul takes on the dangerous renegade alone and finds himself marooned in a forgotten forest. But Charul isn’t one to give up. Could the vine covered castle in the distance hold the secret to capturing the Mirror once and for all?

Dorothea Wild is the Mirror's newest right-hand programmer. After spending forty years in a high-security ITTA prison cell, accepting the renegade's job offer was an easy decision. But, saving people in the past isn't all she wants. A big enough mission could undermine the authority of ITTA, allowing her sweet retribution on the company that ruined her life.

Fleur de Doue was never meant to exist, at least that's what the Mirror's assistants tell her. To avoid being erased from history, she helps the Mirror surround her castle in wires and brambles. But, just because the Mirror enabled her birth doesn't mean he has the right to control her fate. Could it be that he made a mistake and Fleur doesn't belong in the past?

If this sounds like something you'd like, you can order the book from Amazon: HERE, or you can go to Immortal Work's site: HERE. I haven't read the new edition yet--it's on my list, but Book 2 is anything like Book 1, I'm sure I'll love it. Check it out yourself--what a wonderful world in which to escape.

Rachel Huffmire's "Shattered Snow"...An Award-Winning Book Review (The Book, Not The Review)

Ever since Rachel Huffmire's book, Shattered Snow, came out last year, there's been a buzz surrounding it. Yesterday I finished it, and now I know why.

It's a great read.

And those who run the Swoony Awards agree.

Imagine a story that combines the quaintness of a fairy tale, then throw in time travel and all the issues and headaches that can create. You can order it from the Publisher's website: HERE, or from the Amazon page: HERE. 

Rachel and I both had books chosen by Immortal Works to publish. It was announced earlier this week that Shattered Snow won a Swoony Award (and I LOVE that name...). Other books published through Immortal works have won awards--even an anthology in which a story I wrote is included--were award-winning. It's like seeing a sibling win a race, or a competition. The publisher has welcomed me in such a way, I feel like we're family. And I salute Rachel in the win.

If you like very cool stories about altered history (even fairy tale history...) because of time travel, you will definitely enjoy Shattered Snow. I know I did.

How To Make A Writer's Day...

The other day, I was checking out social media sights (as I'm occasionally wont to do...), and I came across a very cool visual post. My writer friend Rachel took a picture of her children's bookshelf. They arranged it by color and it was awesome!

But, because I know they are one of the few people on this earth that have a physical copy of my middle-grade scifi novel, Chaser, I did a little search.

Blue--the cover of my book is mostly blue. At first, I didn't see it. Then, tucked in between classics from Roald Dahl and Brandon Mull, I spotted it--Chaser! 

Believe me--it made my day!

I think almost every author will tell you that they wished more of their books were out in the public. I hope to get more copies of Chaser into as many hands as possible. I put in a new order just today to prepare for next month's Salt Lake FanX Comic Convention. I plan to do a book signing, which should be fun. Actually, doing book signings and talking to people about my book. and about writing in general, is always fun.

This past week I ordered the audiobook of Rachel's debut novel, Shattered Snow. I've started it, but have not yet finished it. So far, it's excellent! We have several bookshelves with kids books in our house. Unless I actually buy a copy of her book, I can't replicate a picture of one of our bookshelves and have the same effect. I suppose I could put my iPad among the other books then take a picture...hardly the same thing.

I wonder if other authors represented in this literary display would feel as good about seeing their published works included as I did. I imagine they word, regardless of how many copies they've sold or how successful they are. Having sold dozens of copies or millions, I'm thinking any author would be proud knowing the impact they've had on even one person. Thanks Rachel for posting and thank your kids for including me in their shelf!

Looks Like "Shattered Show" Is In The Forecast...WORLDWIDE...Starting Tomorrow!

Half the world is experiencing winter, but tomorrow, everyone should expect a snowstorm...a literary storm of new words, new sentences, paragraphs and chapters. Tomorrow (in addition to being my wife's birthday...) is also the launch of Immortal Works Press's latest edition, Rachel Huffmire's Shattered Snow.

What a great day for a book launch!

I haven't read the book myself yet, but here's an Amazon review from the book's home page:

Shattered Snow is an engaging story about people who want to do the right thing but end up at odds with each other. Rachel Huffmire has constructed characters of action with depth that kept me glued to the page. I felt their pain when they met misfortune and excitement when they triumphed. That kind of empathy isn't typical for me so this was a refreshing read.

This novel is a retelling of Snow White but it's so subtle at first that I didn't realize what the story was until half way through the novel! Yet, even after I caught on, Shattered Snow told its own narrative and I couldn't predict how it would align with the classic story. Several times while I read, I wouldn't realize events' significance until chapters later when I had an ah-ha moment and things fell into place. Those moments were fun as a reader since it makes me feel like I'm involved and discovering what's going on.

There's nothing quite like having a party for a book that you wrote. It's exciting, a little scary, and exiting. And a release for a debut novel makes it that much more special.

If you'd like to enjoy the Rachel's adventure, you can order it by clicking: HERE. You can also follow along with the release party on Rachel's Facebook page: HERE. At the party free stuff will be handed out! Give Shattered Snow a chance! After all, winter's the perfect time to read all about snow!